August

1 2016

To the military and veterans communities, nothing is more sacred or honored than
the families of those who are grieving the death of their fallen military hero, a
member of our armed forces who has died while serving their country.

More than a hundred years ago, the President of the United States wrote reverently
to a grieving military mother, "I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the
anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved
and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice
upon the altar of freedom."

Regardless of religion, race, or creed, their sacrifice, the loss of a family member is
unimaginable. Their loved one's body is laid to rest under the American flag, in our
national cemeteries, and their death is honored and remembered each Memorial Day
by a nation grateful for their service.

In 2004, United States Army Captain Humayan Khan was killed by a suicide bomber
when he rushed forward to protect his soldiers and nearby civilians. As with so many
families across the United States, the loss and sacrifice of the Khan family has earned
them the right to ask hard questions of all those seeking elected office, whether at
the local, state or national level.

As Republican, Democratic, and Independent military, veterans, family members and
survivors, we ask that all candidates, at all levels, demonstrate the character
demanded of the offices they seek, and respect not only those who have paid the
ultimate price for our freedom but also their families who have borne such a loss to
protect our liberties.

Again in the words of Abraham Lincoln as he spoke to a nation divided by a great civil
war, With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God
gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the
nations wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow,
and his orphan."


Thank you all for honoring America's fallen heroes by respecting their families.

SIGNED:

Blue Star Families bridges the gap between military family communities and the
general public. Through partnerships, Blue Star Families provides free resources,
services, and opportunities to more than 1.5 million military family membersmaking
military life more sustainable.

Give an Hour is a national nonprofit organization that provides free mental health
care to those who serve, their families and their communities. Since 2005 Give an
Hour has harnessed the generosity and expertise of mental health professionals
across the country to provide over 192,000 hours of free care and support to
members of the military, our veterans and the families of the fallen.

Gold Star Wives members are the widows/widowers whose spouses died while
serving in the Armed Forces of the United States, or as result of service-connected
disabilities. Members of Gold Star Wives appear before various House and Senate
Committees on issues concerning compensation, educational benefits, medical care
and other programs pertaining to the welfare of military survivors.

Got Your 6 believes that veterans are leaders, team builders, and problem solvers
who have the unique potential to lead a resurgence of community across the nation.
Got Your 6 unites nonprofit, Hollywood, and government partners to integrate these
perspectives into popular culture, engage veterans and civilians together to foster
understanding, and empower veterans to lead in their communities.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is the leading post-9/11 veteran
empowerment organization (VEO) with the most diverse and rapidly growing
membership in America.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors has cared for the families of America's
Fallen Heroes since 1994, through programs and services that meet the needs of all
those grieving the death of a military loved one. Support includes the 24/7 National
Military Survivor Helpline; retreats, camps and survivor weekends for all who are
grieving; connections to community based care; and a national network of peers.

Travis Manion Foundation engages with veterans and families of the fallen in all
stages of their personal journeys and offers them unique opportunities to empower
them to achieve their goals. TMF believes that the best way to honor the fallen is by
challenging the living. TMF challenges veterans and survivors to lead the If Not Me,
Then Who movement and inspire others to continue the service to community
and country exemplified by the nations fallen heroes.